152 LOASA 



LOA'SA continued. 



The Loasas are an interesting, though not 

 showy, family, remarkable for their very curious 

 pendent reflexed flowers (something like the shape 

 of a cyclamen), and stinging foliage. Being natives 

 of Peru, Chili, Brazil, and other tropical parts of 

 S. America, they are tender in this climate, but 

 otherwise not difficult to grow in a warm and 

 sheltered part of the garden. 



L. acanthifol'ia is a dwarf plant about 6 ins. high, 

 having singular yellow and red flowers and 

 spiny, deeply cut foliage. End of June to 

 September. Chili, 1822. 



L. auranti'aca, or Chili Nettle, is the most interest- 

 ing of the group and the most useful. Unlike 

 the other species it is a climber, and when once 

 it makes a start grows rapidly, attaining in a 

 hot summer about 6 or 7 ft. The deeply cut 

 foliage is soon bedecked with numerous bright 

 orange-red flowers, about 1 in. across, and con- 

 tinue from July to September. It flourishes 

 best in partial shade and requires support. 

 Syns., L. lateri'tia, Blumenbach'ia laterit'ia, 

 and Caioph'ora lateritfia. 



L. hidpida. Height 18 ins. The flowers are 1 in. 

 across, of a bright canary yellow, the centre 

 green and white. July to September. Peru, 

 1830. 



L, laterit'ia. See L, auranti'aca. 



